August 16, 2018

My Top 5 Cruelty-Free and Travel-Friendly Facial Sunscreens

I feel like I have been going through sunscreens as if they were soap these days. Anyone else? Over the years, I have tried my fair share of sunblocks and have even shared some of my top picks on the blog. I actually did a round-up a few years ago of some of my favourites at the time, and recently shared a face and body sunscreen lotion I have been absolutely obsessed with. I thought I would dedicate an entire post to some of my top facial sunscreens that I have been enjoying as of late, and they all just so happen to be cruelty-free and under 100 mL (3.4 oz), making them airport security screening/TSA approved! So without further ado, let's dive right into them, shall we?

First things first, the Jouviance 100% Mineral Sunblock SPF 30 smells like oranges that were freshly picked off a tree - so citrusy and delicious! If you are someone who can't stand the smell of conventional sunscreens, this stuff is the bomb dot com - no joke. Not only that, but since it is a mineral sunscreen, it is less invasive on the skin, as it only hits the top layers and deflects the sun's harmful rays, as opposed to chemical sunscreens which penetrate deeper and absorbs the sun's UV rays, converting them into non-damaging wavelengths of light or heat and then liberating them from the body. This Jouviance sunscreen contains both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as the active ingredients, as well as grape seed oil, coconut oil and argan oil. But wait - it gets better - not only is the formula chemical-free, but it is also non-greasy and does not leave a white cast. The brand also makes a Custom Colour Booster* which you can mix in with your moisturizers, and I like adding a pump of it to their sunblock as it provides a nice tint for an instantly bronzed, glowy effect! This brand is Montreal-based and their products are made here as well - I am a big fan!

I have been a fan of Indeed Labs for many years - I first discovered their Hydraluron Moisture Booster five years ago, and have also tested their Vitamin C24 throughout the years. They recently came out with inDefense30, a lightweight, mineral-based moisturizer that contains Pycnogenol, a pine bark extract from the French maritime, which is a natural antioxidant said to be 50 times more powerful than vitamin E and 20 times more effective than vitamin C. Made with zinc oxide, this sunscreen protects the skin not only from harmful UV rays but also from hyperpigmentation and dark spots while also helping the skin produce collagen and heal scars. This lotion leaves a bit of a white cast upon first blending it into the skin, so I have to work the product in for about a minute for it to go away. It absorbs incredibly quickly and does not feel greasy or sticky whatsoever, and it is also great to wear on its own or under makeup. This moisturizer with SPF is suitable for all skin types and is paraben, colorant and fragrance-free. Bonus points for it also being made in Canada!

I first discovered this sunscreen last year and am already on my second bottle! What I love about this brand is that they are vegan and use silica, minerals, organic proteins and certified organic bamboo extract at the highest concentration in all of their products, and the medicinal ingredient in this sunscreen spray in zinc oxide, while the base is made with aloe leaf juice. Other ingredients include safflower extract, radish root, honeysuckle flower extract, camellia leaf extract and vitamin E. The formula is also free of gluten, paraben and sulphate and artificial fragrance. It does not leave a white cast and quickly sinks into the skin. To apply, spray some product on your hands first, and then spread it evenly on your face, avoiding the eyes. At first, the product will feel a bit sticky and greasy, but that feeling fades within a couple of minutes following application. And guess what? This sunscreen is also Canadian made! It is also available in a bigger spray bottle (C$24.99, 177g) as well as a Kids & Baby version (both in mini and big spray bottles) that have a locking mechanism, making them perfect for travelling.

Have you ever done your makeup, only to realize you didn't apply a moisturizer with SPF to begin with? Shoot! Well, Seriously FAB came up with a genius solution, the Zinc It Over Sunscreen Facial Mist which is meant to be used over makeup! I mean, why didn't anyone else think of this before? Not only does this facial mist set your makeup to provide an airbrushed effect and protect your skin from sun damage, but this sunscreen was also created with re-application in mind, as facial sunscreens tend to only be effective for two hours. I have been testing this product over the last few weeks and I am seriously impressed with how nicely it sets my makeup - nothing is disturbed and I find my base makeup lasts longer without fading or getting shiny in certain areas (which tends to happen as I have combination skin). The non-nano zinc oxide keeps your face protected throughout the day, while other natural ingredients such as blueberry, pomegranate, vitamin E, rooibos tea, aloe vera and pumpkin seed keep your skin hydrated and nourished. The formula is not only cruelty-free, but also natural, vegan and safe. This facial mist is also available in a Citrus Passion and Tropical Floral scent.

I, of course, had to sneak a makeup product that contains SPF into the mix, and the Purlisse BB Tinted Moist Cream is one I have been reaching for a lot these days. I've been going makeup-free most of this summer, but on days when I am looking for a bit more coverage, such as when going out on the town, I have been really enjoying this BB Cream. I've developed quite the tan so this one I have in the shade light is getting slightly too light, but I am still able to make it work by adding the Custom Colour Booster mentioned above and going a bit more heavy-handed with bronzer. This product blurs my scars while still looking natural, and a little goes a long way. The formula is made with Asian herbs, chamomile and sugar maple, and the active ingredients include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It is also free of parabens, mineral oil, phtalates, GMOs and sulfates.

Hey Natalie, I am pretty sure, I haven't heard about these products yet or maybe they are not available in my place, but if you say that those are cruelty and travel friendly sunscreen products, then you don't know how many travelers would bless you that you are here to help them. After reading all of these, if I was traveler, I would pick up this product-Pur Lisse, as our country is warm and sunny most of the times and I think we Indians would very much adapt to this easily. Or alternate, I can choose Zinc it Over, this feels like a perfect substitute.

I'm very keen when it comes to ensuring that my perfumes are cruelty-free, I've never considered to do the same when it comes to other products I use on my face and body. But for sure, I'll remember this since I'd really want my face to smell like oranges and lemons too lol!

I find it funny that I just recently learned that it would be wise to apply sunscreen on the face as well! Lol! Ive never heard about these products but then again I'm not a product type woman but as I learn I know ill def keep this list in mind. Great post!

Sunscreen is so important but I think many people just grab the cheapest brand they find on store shelves. People really should put more care into choosing sunscreen. Appreciated learning more about these varieties to help me be an educated consumer.

I have never seen these sunscreens before but very happy for the introduction. Sunscreen is very important to me as I use it all year round. I also love products with SPF in them. The BB tinted moisture cream sounds wonderful for me as I have some eczema scars. Thank you for this awesome feature.

What an interesting products! Actually I have never heard about all of that, maybe it's because that products doesn't available in my country but I really want to try that somehow, seems like it will work on my skin.

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